DigitalBridge Portfolio Company Zayo to Acquire Crown Castle’s Fiber Solutions Business in $4.25 Billion Transaction
DigitalBridge Group (NYSE: DBRG) announced that its portfolio company Zayo will acquire Crown Castle's Fiber Solutions business in a $4.25 billion transaction. The acquisition will add approximately 90,000 route miles of fiber to Zayo's network, expanding its reach to over 70,000 on-net locations.
Crown Castle's metro-focused fiber assets will complement Zayo's long-haul network, enhancing services for hyperscalers, data centers, enterprises, carriers, cities, and rural communities. The expansion aims to support growing demand for cloud and AI-driven connectivity solutions.
The transaction, expected to close in the first half of 2026, will strengthen Zayo's position in major metropolitan areas and improve fiber availability for various customers. DigitalBridge-backed platforms currently operate nearly 300,000 route miles of fiber across 550 markets worldwide.
DigitalBridge Group (NYSE: DBRG) ha annunciato che la sua azienda in portafoglio Zayo acquisirà il business delle Fiber Solutions di Crown Castle in una transazione del valore di 4,25 miliardi di dollari. L'acquisizione aggiungerà circa 90.000 miglia di fibra alla rete di Zayo, ampliando la sua portata a oltre 70.000 località on-net.
Le risorse in fibra focalizzate sulle aree metropolitane di Crown Castle completeranno la rete a lungo raggio di Zayo, migliorando i servizi per hyperscalers, centri dati, imprese, carrier, città e comunità rurali. L'espansione mira a supportare la crescente domanda di soluzioni di connettività basate su cloud e intelligenza artificiale.
La transazione, prevista per chiudersi nella prima metà del 2026, rafforzerà la posizione di Zayo nelle principali aree metropolitane e migliorerà la disponibilità di fibra per vari clienti. Le piattaforme sostenute da DigitalBridge attualmente operano quasi 300.000 miglia di fibra in 550 mercati in tutto il mondo.
DigitalBridge Group (NYSE: DBRG) anunció que su empresa en cartera Zayo adquirirá el negocio de Fiber Solutions de Crown Castle en una transacción de 4.25 mil millones de dólares. La adquisición añadirá aproximadamente 90,000 millas de fibra a la red de Zayo, ampliando su alcance a más de 70,000 ubicaciones on-net.
Los activos de fibra centrados en el metro de Crown Castle complementarán la red de larga distancia de Zayo, mejorando los servicios para hyperscalers, centros de datos, empresas, operadores, ciudades y comunidades rurales. La expansión tiene como objetivo apoyar la creciente demanda de soluciones de conectividad impulsadas por la nube y la inteligencia artificial.
Se espera que la transacción se cierre en la primera mitad de 2026, lo que fortalecerá la posición de Zayo en las principales áreas metropolitanas y mejorará la disponibilidad de fibra para varios clientes. Las plataformas respaldadas por DigitalBridge operan actualmente casi 300,000 millas de fibra en 550 mercados en todo el mundo.
디지털브릿지 그룹 (NYSE: DBRG)은 포트폴리오 회사인 Zayo가 크라운 캐슬의 광섬유 솔루션 사업을 42억 5천만 달러에 인수한다고 발표했습니다. 이번 인수로 Zayo의 네트워크에 약 90,000마일의 광섬유가 추가되어 70,000개 이상의 온넷 위치로 범위가 확장됩니다.
크라운 캐슬의 메트로 중심 광섬유 자산은 Zayo의 장거리 네트워크를 보완하여 하이퍼스케일러, 데이터 센터, 기업, 통신사, 도시 및 농촌 지역 사회를 위한 서비스를 향상시킬 것입니다. 이번 확장은 클라우드 및 AI 기반 연결 솔루션에 대한 증가하는 수요를 지원하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
2026년 상반기 중에 완료될 것으로 예상되는 이번 거래는 주요 대도시 지역에서 Zayo의 입지를 강화하고 다양한 고객을 위한 광섬유 가용성을 개선할 것입니다. 디지털브릿지가 지원하는 플랫폼은 현재 전 세계 550개 시장에서 거의 300,000마일의 광섬유를 운영하고 있습니다.
DigitalBridge Group (NYSE: DBRG) a annoncé que sa société de portefeuille Zayo allait acquérir l'activité Fiber Solutions de Crown Castle dans le cadre d'une transaction de 4,25 milliards de dollars. Cette acquisition ajoutera environ 90 000 miles de fibre au réseau de Zayo, élargissant sa portée à plus de 70 000 emplacements on-net.
Les actifs en fibre axés sur les zones métropolitaines de Crown Castle compléteront le réseau longue distance de Zayo, améliorant les services pour les hyperscalers, les centres de données, les entreprises, les opérateurs, les villes et les communautés rurales. L'expansion vise à soutenir la demande croissante de solutions de connectivité basées sur le cloud et l'intelligence artificielle.
La transaction, qui devrait être finalisée au cours de la première moitié de 2026, renforcera la position de Zayo dans les grandes zones métropolitaines et améliorera la disponibilité de la fibre pour divers clients. Les plateformes soutenues par DigitalBridge exploitent actuellement près de 300 000 miles de fibre dans 550 marchés à travers le monde.
DigitalBridge Group (NYSE: DBRG) gab bekannt, dass sein Portfolio-Unternehmen Zayo das Geschäft von Crown Castle's Fiber Solutions in einer Transaktion im Wert von 4,25 Milliarden Dollar übernehmen wird. Die Übernahme wird etwa 90.000 Streckenmeilen von Glasfaser zu Zayos Netzwerk hinzufügen und dessen Reichweite auf über 70.000 On-Net-Standorte erweitern.
Die auf städtische Gebiete ausgerichteten Glasfaserressourcen von Crown Castle werden Zayos Fernnetzwerk ergänzen und die Dienstleistungen für Hyperscaler, Rechenzentren, Unternehmen, Carrier, Städte und ländliche Gemeinschaften verbessern. Die Expansion zielt darauf ab, der wachsenden Nachfrage nach Cloud- und KI-gesteuerten Konnektivitätslösungen gerecht zu werden.
Die Transaktion, die in der ersten Hälfte des Jahres 2026 abgeschlossen werden soll, wird Zayos Position in großen Ballungsräumen stärken und die Verfügbarkeit von Glasfaser für verschiedene Kunden verbessern. Von DigitalBridge unterstützte Plattformen betreiben derzeit fast 300.000 Streckenmeilen von Glasfaser in 550 Märkten weltweit.
- Strategic acquisition adding 90,000 route miles of fiber network
- Expansion into key metropolitan markets
- Enhanced capacity to serve growing AI and cloud computing demand
- Increased network reach to over 70,000 on-net locations
- Complementary asset integration between metro and long-haul networks
- Significant capital expenditure of $4.25 billion
- Extended closing timeline to 2026 creates execution risk
- Regulatory approval uncertainty
- Integration challenges of large-scale fiber network merger
Insights
This $4.25 billion acquisition represents a significant strategic expansion for DigitalBridge's portfolio company Zayo, substantially enhancing its fiber network capabilities at a critical industry inflection point. By adding Crown Castle's 90,000 route miles of fiber and increasing on-net locations to over 70,000, Zayo is positioning itself as a more comprehensive connectivity provider.
The complementary nature of these assets is particularly noteworthy - Zayo's existing long-haul network paired with Crown Castle's metro-focused fiber creates an integrated solution that can better serve the full connectivity chain. This addresses a key challenge in digital infrastructure: the need for seamless connectivity from intercity routes down to metropolitan areas.
This acquisition directly responds to the accelerating demand for high-capacity, low-latency networks driven by AI and cloud computing. These technologies require massive data throughput capabilities that only robust fiber networks can deliver. The timing aligns perfectly with the rapid expansion of AI workloads that need specialized infrastructure configurations.
For DigitalBridge shareholders, this represents a continued execution of the firm's digital infrastructure specialization strategy. The company is systematically building substantial scale across key digital infrastructure verticals, with this acquisition bolstering their already impressive 300,000 route miles of fiber across 550 markets worldwide.
The $4.25 billion valuation for Crown Castle's Fiber Solutions business appears strategically timed, as digital infrastructure assets supporting AI capabilities are commanding premium valuations in the current market. While specific financial metrics weren't disclosed, the transaction's size makes it a material development for DigitalBridge's portfolio.
This acquisition reinforces DigitalBridge's partnership model with EQT, continuing their joint ownership approach established when they acquired Zayo in 2020. The extended closing timeline (first half of 2026) suggests potential regulatory complexity, likely stemming from antitrust considerations in the telecommunications infrastructure space.
For DigitalBridge, this transaction advances their specialized investment thesis in digital infrastructure, potentially enhancing their portfolio value through increased scale and market positioning. The acquisition specifically targets metro fiber assets, which offer higher revenue density and typically command stronger valuations than rural fiber deployments.
The strategic rationale is compelling given current market dynamics - as enterprises and hyperscalers rapidly expand their AI capabilities, the demand for high-capacity fiber networks is outpacing supply. This acquisition positions Zayo to capitalize on these secular growth trends by offering a more comprehensive connectivity solution that spans both long-haul and metro markets.
With the extended closing timeline, DigitalBridge has structured this transaction to allow sufficient time for integration planning and regulatory approvals, reducing execution risk.
With this acquisition, Zayo will expand its network with approximately 90,000 route miles of fiber, increasing its overall reach to more than 70,000 on-net locations. Crown Castle’s metro-focused fiber assets complement Zayo’s long-haul network, enhancing services for hyperscalers, data centers, enterprises, carriers, cities, and rural communities as demand for cloud and AI-driven connectivity continues to rise.
“As AI adoption accelerates, the need for scalable, high-capacity networks has never been greater,” said Marc Ganzi, Chief Executive Officer of DigitalBridge. “Crown Castle’s metro-focused fiber network is a valuable addition that will help Zayo expand its reach in key markets and better support the next generation of digital applications. Alongside EQT, DigitalBridge remains committed to investing in world-class network infrastructure to power AI, cloud computing, and enterprise connectivity.”
“This transaction strengthens Zayo’s ability to meet the growing demand for high-speed, low-latency fiber solutions,” said Jonathan Friesel, Senior Managing Director and Head of Fiber at DigitalBridge. “With cloud and AI-driven workloads increasing, network reliability and scalability are more important than ever. This acquisition enhances Zayo’s capacity to support data-intensive applications while improving overall fiber availability for enterprises, carriers, and cloud providers.”
With Crown Castle’s fiber network, Zayo will expand its coverage in major metropolitan areas, enhancing scalable, high-performance connectivity for its customers. This investment supports Zayo’s growth strategy and strengthens its ability to meet the increasing bandwidth demands driven by AI, cloud computing, and enterprise connectivity.
As the leading specialist investor in digital infrastructure, DigitalBridge remains committed to supporting the development of next-generation networks. Across the digital infrastructure ecosystem, DigitalBridge-backed platforms collectively operate nearly 300,000 route miles of fiber across 550 markets worldwide, advancing digital infrastructure through investments in data centers, towers, fiber, and edge infrastructure.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory review and other customary closing conditions.
About DigitalBridge
DigitalBridge (NYSE: DBRG) is a leading global alternative asset manager dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure. With a heritage of over 25 years investing in and operating businesses across the digital ecosystem, including cell towers, data centers, fiber, small cells, and edge infrastructure, the DigitalBridge team manages
About Zayo
For more than 17 years, Zayo has empowered some of the world’s largest and most innovative companies to connect what’s next for their business. The Zayo group of companies connects 400 global markets with future-ready networks that span over 18.7 million fiber miles and 146,000 route miles. Zayo’s tailored connectivity solutions and managed services enable carriers, cloud providers, data centers, schools, and enterprises to deliver exceptional experiences, from core to cloud to edge. Discover how Zayo connects what’s next at www.zayo.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, and may cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that might cause such a difference include whether the transaction will close on the anticipated timeline, the impact of AI on demand for fiber networks and capacity and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in DigitalBridge’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and its other reports filed from time to time with the
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Investors:
Severin White
Managing Director
(212) 547-2777
severin.white@digitalbridge.com
Media:
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
Jon Keehner / Sarah Salky
(212) 355-4449
dbrg-jf@joelefrank.com
Source: DigitalBridge Group, Inc.
FAQ
What is the value of Zayo's acquisition of Crown Castle's Fiber Solutions?
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